Earlier this month, police officers arrested a South Florida man, charging him with several crimes related to a 2019 fatal Florida drunk driving accident. According to a recent news report, the man was driving at a high speed when he exited Interstate 95 in Fort Lauderdale. As he descended the off-ramp, he ran a stoplight, crashing into a Honda sedan.
The force from the collision pushed the Honda into traffic, where it was hit by a Jeep. The driver of the Honda was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The at-fault driver remained at the scene, and police officers administered a breath test, discovering that he had a blood-alcohol content of .17. He also had several drugs in his system, including methamphetamine.
While law enforcement was aware of the driver’s intoxication at the time of the accident, the driver was not immediately arrested and charged. However, just this month, prosecutors decided to charge the man with several serious charges, including DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, DUI causing serious bodily injury, reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, DUI with damage to property or a person and reckless driving causing damage to property or a person. Authorities have not yet explained why there was such a significant delay in charging the driver.
Bringing a Personal Injury Claim Following a Florida DUI Accident
In the wake of a Miami DUI accident, those injured in the collision can file a personal injury claim against the drunk driver. And, in the event of a fatal accident, the personal representative of the deceased accident victim can pursue a wrongful death claim.
Both personal injury and wrongful death are civil claims that are separate from criminal cases. Instead of focusing on punishing a driver for breaking the law, civil claims focus on providing those affected by the defendant’s actions with meaningful compensation to help them deal with their accident-related expenses. Depending on the case, this may include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, property damage as well as the pain and suffering caused by the accident.
Working with an experienced South Florida personal injury attorney is crucial in these cases, not just to increase your chances of success but also to maximize your potential recovery amount.
Have You Been Injured in a Florida DUI Accident?
If you or someone close to you was recently involved in a Miami DUI accident, the dedicated personal injury lawyers at Friedman Rodman Frank Estrada can help. Our knowledgeable and compassionate team of attorneys has extensive hands-on experience representing individuals and families in a wide range of cases, including drunk driving accidents. We have an impressive track record of success which we attribute to our unique form of client-centered representation. We take the time to get to know you and how the accident impacted your life so we can advocate effectively on your behalf. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with one of our Florida accident lawyers, give us a call at 877-448-8585 today.